JUSTIFIED

The first of the Maker's children watched across the Veil
And grew jealous of the life
They could not feel, could not touch.
In blackest envy were the demons born.

- Chant of light, Canticle of Erudition 2:1


XXX

Two hours.

He is alive.

He fights.

But it fights back too.

And we are ready for it.

An adamant wall of black and emerald and envy still surged near the centre of the now empty marketplace. I wondered if it ever was so empty here, so quiet? Only our breaths were heard. Cassandra's controlled huffs, Varric's impatient shifting, Solas' near silent presence, and then my angry, furious wheezes. The Templars stood behind us, their swords drawn, unsheathed for the whole two hours we had been standing here. Waiting. Fearing. Hoping.

I was there, I had been there. If I had been stronger, more experienced, better, I could still be there to help, to guide. If only I was like that spirit boy, Cole, I could've made sure Maxwell would come out of the Fade barrier. But I can't be jealous, not now. I will become better, stronger, brighter.

Nobody said a word, but stared at the wall that separated them from their Herald. Only I could look in, only I could see. And I still saw them. Envy and Maxwell, still two clearly distinct figures. My eye focussed, twirled to find and not to lose sight. And it started to hurt. I had been seeing for two hours. Never had I focussed for so long before. When I was pushed out of Maxwell's head, I had been covered in blood, fresh blood. That blood had long been dried up and wiped away, but I could still feel it sticking to my body and face like dirt.

Fighting. No fear. He falls and gets back up again, and he thinks of you. Of her. Of his friends. His future and the future of everyone else. He is there. Now he is the one who's feared.

What?

He is ready.

The green wall before us exploded, and I jumped away, the raw power of the Fade thumping through my body, ringing in my ears, swirling in my mouth. It tasted like copper and electricity. Blood and magic.

'HERALD!' Cassandra nearly dropped her sword as his figure appeared in the fog, shoulders straight, face determined. There he was. Maxwell.

He smiled at the Seeker confidently and nodded.

'GET READY!' Cassandra nearly sang from happiness, but her tone was serious. If Maxwell was free, then so was Envy. The Templars moved forward, their swords ready to attack. Bianca's arrow sprung ready in Varric's hands, and Solas' staff creaked as his magic surged through it.

But I could only stare for a moment, my heart thumping a familiar ache. An ache I had felt when I had walked into this city. This ache that warned me to stand up, to raise my hands, and to kill whatever moved first.

And I was so angry, so ready to kill.

Behind Maxwell, Envy finally raised its ugly head. I have seen demons before, through Rifts, in the Fade, in my dreams even, but never were they so monstrous.
Envy's body was almost humanoid, but its limbs were too long and bended the wrong way, like it had no joints. Its skin was a pale-ish pink and instead of two, it had four arms protruding from its bust, with those long, familiar black demonic claws sticking out from what I thought were its hands. But Envy's face was the thing that enraptured me the most, because it almost had no face. Was that why it wanted to steal other's faces? It had a head, don't get me wrong, but there were only veins and bloodied scars that turned inwards on a white dry canvas. It looked like an experiment gone wrong, faces melted into each other to create no face at all.

Envy screamed, its mangled body turned to Maxwell, who didn't move one step as the demon opened its bloodied mouth filled with way too many human-like teeth. I think I even saw some teeth puncturing the skin where its brow should be. But Maxwell only smirked as he said mockingly, 'I get why you wanted my face, you ugly bastard.'

Envy screamed again, a furious scream this time, not just annoyed. I saw the muscles flex beneath its thin skin, and I knew this battle wouldn't be an easy one. The Templars that were here weren't with many, and I bet they were low on Lyrium seeing how pale and tired they appeared. But I knew they wouldn't give up without a fight. Templars were too cocky for that.

'I touched so much of you. But you are selfish with your glory. Now, I'm no one.' Envy's voice gurgled and sneered. But Maxwell didn't bat an eye.

Dark and desperate. Death to make yourself alive. I used to be like you.

Cole's voice ringed through the market, but it seemed only Envy, Maxwell and I were able to hear it. I looked around from my place behind our party, but didn't see the boy standing anywhere.

I'm not anymore. You shouldn't be, either.

Envy screeched with anger, and I felt Cole's presence disappear from our minds, gone to wherever he was now. Maxwell screamed victoriously as he finally charged at Envy. 'Let's end this!'

'NOW!' Cassandra demanded and the Templars didn't hesitate and ran up to the screeching demon. And that's how the battle began.

Cassandra threw herself onto the demon, and I heard her scream 'Maker take you!' in raw anger and desperation as her sword hit the demon's skin, clashing through its brittle veins. Black bloodlike bile splurged out of the demon's body as it screamed to find one of its hands cleanly cut off from its arm. Maxwell smiled and hurled to Envy, his daggers biting like fangs into Envy's back. Envy cried out and waved its bloodied arms around to get the Herald off of it, but couldn't as the Templars reigned upon him with their swords and shields, bashing and slashing at the enormous demon's feet. Solas immediately stepped up and casted strong protective barriers around every single soldier, and I saw it took its toll as Envy tried puncturing so many men, and sometimes, it succeeded as its claws cut through Solas' barriers and into the limp bodies of the Templars. Solas huffed as he bended beneath the power of the demon, trying to hold up his wards. Varric cursed as his arrows found Envy's missing face, some failing to hit their target by inches, and some cutting through the demon's scars that crossed its face. Envy hurled, bursting out a raw power that made everyone around fly a couple of feet away.

Maxwell cried out as he lost grip of his daggers and fell down from Envy's back and onto the ground. The spineless demon bended its body backwards to look at the disarmed Herald. I felt the strength in my feet return and ran towards them, jumping over the dead Templar corpses. My magic twirled around my fingers, and electric bolts sparked from them. I raised my hands to Envy, who crawled closer and closer to Maxwell, not noticing me coming for it.

'HEY! Remember me?' I screamed, and Envy turned its faceless figure to me.

'YOU!' It screeched.

Magic left my hands and surged towards Envy, hitting it right in its nerves. Envy groaned and stomped towards me with its many limbs. It drew out its poisonous claws towards me, trying to gut my eyes out, but I jumped aside quickly, running swiftly on my feet, jumping over the mess of arms and blood that clawed my way. Fire now grinded across my body and I grabbed one of Envy's bloodied arms so my fire could spread. Envy gurgled as my fire climbed across his arm, burning its pale skin. And when my fire had captured the whole limb, I twisted my hand and my fire turned to ice, enrapturing the arm in a cold prison of frost and flame. And with a turn of my free hand, the ice splintered and the arm exploded into a thousand pieces. Meanwhile, Maxwell got back up again, and pulled another knife from his armour and ran over to slash Envy's face. But the demon, who now had only two and a half arms left, turned to Maxwell quickly, opening its mangled mouth and bit through Maxwell's arm with its molars. Maxwell screamed as I heard the teeth puncturing flesh and bone. I cried out angrily and raised my hands to Envy's face, but suddenly, an arrow flung right into Envy's mouth, cutting through its palate and skull. The demon gurgled up its black blood and let go of Maxwell's arm.

'Eat that 'ya pissin' pile of shite!' A young elven woman jumped from a balcony at the upper market. She smiled with her slightly crooked teeth and spun another arrow on her bow, firing it towards Envy again. The demon waved its arms in confusion, trying to stop the rain of arrows coming for its face.

Cassandra's sword found the demon again, cutting through any limb that stood in her way to get to Maxwell, who laid on the ground holding his bloodied arm, or what was left of it. Solas raised his staff again, now not to protect anymore, but to hurt. I saw the confidence in his eyes as he looked to Maxwell to the demon and back. His staff creaked as bolts of energy exploded from its core one by one, surging to the demon and detonating into a green fire that cut through its skin like a thousand arrows.

This was the last straw for Envy, as it finally fell down to the cold marble floor. The demon still screamed and roared, until a familiar brown skinned Templar climbed its mangled, bloodied body, raised his sword and cried out: 'Blessed are they who stand before the corrupt and the wicked and do not falter. Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just. Blessed are the righteous, the lights in the shadow. In their blood the Maker's will is written.' The Templar let his sword fall down into Envy's chest. The demon screeched one last time, its face turning to Maxwell in despair, its face so expressionless, but still so full of envy. 'I… want…'

Dead.

An arrow was suddenly shot into Envy's corpse, and then two, and then another. 'Bits up, face down!' the young elven woman who had aided during battle jumped closer to the dead demon, dropping her bow as she made sure the thing was dead. I glanced at her quickly before running towards Maxwell, ignoring how she poked Envy's body with her arrow while making vomiting noises.

'You are alright, breathe!' Cassandra knelt next to Maxwell, who cradled his arm while rocking back and forth, his face pale. Cassandra turned her head my way, calling out to me in urgency, 'Saeris!'

'I'm here! I'm here.' I hushed as I ran to Maxwell's side and fell onto my knees next to Cassandra, who kept whispering soft words to Maxwell. I hadn't seen her this concerned before, this… soft and caring. I figured that underneath that hard exterior, Cassandra was a kind woman. She looked at me with concern in her eyes, and I answered her with an assuring nod.

'Hey, you're real now, right?' Maxwell tried to smile, but failed because moving hurt.

'I'm always real.' I winked. 'Let me look at you now.' Maxwell nodded slightly, his eyes big and almost teary, but he tried to keep himself strong. I slowly raised my hands to his ruined arm, and I cursed myself for being reassured it wasn't his marked arm. It looked like it hurt horribly, but it wasn't something I couldn't heal. 'Cassandra, hold Maxwell', I demanded and she nodded. I ripped a piece of cloth from my bloodied armour and held it out to the Herald. 'Bite on this, it will hurt at first, don't want to ruin your teeth.' Maxwell nodded again, this time not so confident, and opened his mouth so I could put the cloth in.

I then turned my head a bit, my eyes looking for Solas, who already appeared beside me. 'Solas, I need you to hold his arm straight. I'm going to heal his bones first, and they need to be regrown straight, not crooked.' Solas nodded, his eyes focussed solely on me. 'After the bones, I will heal the nerves and veins, then the flesh. The bones will hurt, Maxwell, try not to struggle too much.' I looked at Cassandra, and she nodded like she understood. Hold him even if he screams. She knew. 'Ready?' I stared at Maxwell and he nodded slowly, huffing against the cloth.

Varric appeared on the other side of Maxwell, his hand firmly in Maxwell's marked hand, 'Just don't break my hand, Herald.'

Solas then straightened Maxwell's arm with one clear snap, pulling it into the right position ruthlessly. Maxwell screamed against the cloths, his eyes bulging out of their sockets. Varric groaned as Maxwell pinched his hand, and Cassandra huffed as she tried keeping him down. I didn't hesitate and rested my hand on his arm, and Maxwell cried out again. Ignoring his pain, I focussed, my magic surging out of my tired body. Deeper and deeper, my magic twisted and crawled through the Herald's open wound to find the sharp pieces that were once his lower arm bones. The splintered shards punctured his flesh, his veins, which made him bleed harder and harder. If I didn't heal him fast, he'd die from blood loss. My magic bound itself around every single piece of bone, pushing it towards the right place. Maxwell squirmed and screamed against his cloth, writhing against the pain as the bones pushed through his arm all over again.

'I'm sorry, it'll all be over soon', I hushed while looking into his eyes quickly. But Maxwell's eyes were strong, full of pain, but confident to see this through. Come on! I pushed and pushed against my magic, and I felt more and more pieces pushed into place until it formed a whole bone again. And just like a loose puzzle, I glued it back together to form a perfect arm. With a loud snap, the hardest part was completed. I heard Maxwell breathe sharply as he felt his bone being whole again.

I smiled, feeling the sweat dripping from my face. 'Solas, you can let go of him now', I grinned and looked up to Maxwell again, 'I'm just going to heal your flesh. It won't hurt that bad, you'll know the feeling.' The Herald nodded again, sweat also dripping from his face, but now the colour was returning to his cheeks. I focussed back on the arm, and as I called my magic back to my fingers, they left a trail of healing, knitting first the nerves and veins back together, and then the flesh. Slowly, but still trying to calm the tissue with a soothing warmth. And when my magic had fully returned back to me, Maxwell's arm was clean and whole like it had never been hurt before.

'Incredible', Solas mumbled and looked back to me. 'You did not even leave a scar.' He had admiration in his voice, and I didn't know if I liked that or not. I smiled weakly, feeling my body being too tired to use any more magic.

Cassandra helped Maxwell sit upright, her face gleaming with reassurance. Maxwell held out his arm before him, flexing his muscles and turning it sideways carefully. He then stared at me, smiling, 'Thank you, Saeris.'

I smiled back faintly.

'You can let go of my hand now, Herald.' Varric grinned.

'I'm sorry, my friend. I didn't break it, right?' Maxwell laughed loudly and let go of the Dwarf's hand.

'I'm made out of stronger material than that!' Varric huffed, and I heard Cassandra making her usual disgusted noise while she helped Maxwell get back on his feet. We all straightened our backs now, and I dared to look back at the marketplace. Some statues were broken, some tiles were smashed, but the marketplace looked like it had before. Only Envy's carcass was out of place, surrounded by a couple of Templar corpses. A sadness took over me. The loss of life, no matter what race or religion or occupation, was always unfortunate. But this wasn't the first time I'd seen death, and I knew these men and women would be rewarded for their bravery in the next life, even if they had been Templars.

'The demon is dead. Andraste be praised: she shielded you from its touch.' The brown skinned Templar, the one who had given Envy the final blow, walked up to us. He was visibly wounded, all of the Templars were, but I didn't know if I had the strength to heal them all, or if I even wanted to.

Maxwell ignored the Templar for a while, still confused to what just happened. 'Saeris, did you see Cole? I heard him? Did anyone see a young man appear beside me? Pale, strangely dressed, creepy voice?'

'I heard him, but I think it wasn't meant for others.' I said as Maxwell stared at me.

'I saw no one. You and the demon were alone.' The Templar looked down for a moment, his eyes sad. 'It used Red Lyrium to corrupt the order. I knew that miserable stuff was risky!'

'It made you use what now?' Varric interrupted, his voice high and panicky.

'They often give us new kinds of Lyrium. Our commanders… some used the red stuff first, to prove it was harmless. Most Knights at Therinfal are already using it. That demon turned our leaders so we couldn't question when this started! I fear most of our comrades have already fallen to it as we speak.'

'Can they still be saved?' Maxwell frowned.

'As soon as they took that stuff, they became… different. Their minds more violent, without reason. And it got worse by the day…'

'Well, shit.' Varric sighed and scratched the back of his neck in thought.

'We've numbers across Thedas, but we let this happen. The Templar order is in disarray. Only a small army of us is left near the border of Orlais… We are ready to hear what… or if the Inquisition needs us. It is our only cause left now.'

Maxwell sighed deeply and rested his marked hand on his forehead, his face twisted into a thoughtful grimace. He then looked at me, his eyes sad and apologetic. Please, no. Not this. Not them. He then looked behind me, peering towards the far horizon above the upper market balconies, above the fancy apartments with bright primary colours, towards the dooming Breach in the sky. 'If that thing hanging over our heads doesn't terrify you, you're braver souls than I. The Inquisition can't seal the Breach on its own. We need the Templars' help.' He looked back to our exhausted party, and Cassandra straightened her shoulders and nodded affirmatively at the Herald. 'We need everyone's help.' Everyone? The mages included?

The Templar stepped forward, 'You speak truths we should never have ignored. But the Order, or what is left of it, is leaderless, gutted by betrayal. We must rebuild it.'

'No. There is no time. Serve us. Stop the Breach, and then begin again without stain on your honour. That is our offer.'

'I, Ser Delrin Barris, will serve. If it is the only way, Templars, will you help the Inquisition to atone for our failure?' The Templar, Delrin, stepped before his comrades, the ones that were left of the delegation at least. The small group of Templars took off their helmets, and I now saw real faces under the masks I'd always feared. They bent the knee before Maxwell, who seemed to shine brighter and brighter as the now ex-Templars pumped their chests. Delrin turned to us again. 'The Order will… disband, and take up the Inquisition's banner.'

I didn't know if I should be happy or sad. I only knew I was incredibly terrified. I knew Templars that could still live… Tibald… Simon… would they join us? Or were they already influenced by the Red Lyrium? And why would they take that stuff? Who needed an army of vicious, mindless Templar monsters? And what kind of army would we get? Would I still be safe in Haven now, or will these "ex"-Templars try to undermine me as a mage again?

'I will send a raven to the rest of the Templars, those who are willing to join will travel to Haven. We might not be with great numbers, but we'll need weapons, training grounds, a place to rest… The Inquisition must prepare for our arrival.'

'I will alert Commander Cullen of your arrival and have him prepare all you require.' Maxwell took a step closer. 'But do know, we might still form another alliance with the rebel mages. I will make sure the Inquisition will have all the power it needs to close that Breach. You are Templars no longer, and we will not tolerate any violence against those who are innocent.' Maxwell turned to me and nodded as if he had seen the fear in my eyes.

Delrin bowed again, not uttering a word. I knew they would make trouble with the mages still, but these men were in need of a new cause. Templars always want to fight something. At least they'd be good if we're ever being attacked. They just need to stay away from me. Far… far away. The Templars turned their backs to us and walked towards their fallen comrades, cradling them in their arms to carry them away to bury them. But there was no time to grieve, we all knew that.

'Oi! You smashed that demon's arse pretty good!' The young elven woman who had helped during battle walked towards our group, her lips quirked into a dorky smile. I looked her up and down suspiciously, from her funky chopped bangs to her sprout-like nose and freckles. 'Glad to see you're… well you're kind of plain really? All that talk and you're just… a person.' Maxwell stared at her with an open mouth. She really doesn't mince words, does she? 'I mean, it's all good, innit? The important thing is, you glow? You're the Herald thingy?'

Maxwell smiled, brushed off his armour coat and looked up to the girl like he hadn't just fought a demon in his mind, almost lost his life fighting it, and made an alliance with the Templars while disbanding them in one go, 'First of all, thank you for your arrows.' He said politely, 'And second, yes, some call me the Herald of Andraste. But who are you, exactly?'

'Name's Sera. Heard you were comin' here, didn't expect this whole lot to happen.' Sera looked around her and raised her eyebrows before wiggling them in a faked surprise. 'But I'm always in for kickin' some demon's butt. I'd like to join that Inquisition thingy of yours.'

Maxwell laughed while Cassandra made an angry face and tried to step forward, but he pushed her back slightly. 'Tell me who you are a little bit more first, before I make this decision.'

'Well… it's like this… you heard about the friends of Red Jenny? That's me. Well, I'm one. So is a fence in Montfort, some woman in Kirkwall. There were three in Starkhaven. Brothers or something. It's just a name, yeah? It lets little people, "friends", be part of something while they stick it to nobles they hate. So here in your face, I'm Sera. "The Friends of Red Jenny" are sort of out there. I can use them to help you. Plus arrows.' The girl kept rambling, and I wondered if she'd ever stop.

'The Inquisition has spies already. Can you add to these professionals?'

The girl next started to explain how we "important people" were on top, and something about cods and crushing while making kissing noises, and that her little people could help us to information no one else would get. I didn't get it all though, her rambling made me dizzy. 'Look', she finally finished, 'Do you need people or not? I want to get everything back to normal. Like you?'

'Herald, I do not think…' Cassandra started, but Maxwell raised his hand to stop her, turning his face to show he was thinking.

'We could use every able man and woman, Cassandra.' He finally said after some minutes. 'All right, Sera. I could use you and your "friends".'

'Yes! Get in good before you're too big to like. That'll keep your breeches were they should be.' What now? 'Anyway, Haven. See you there, Herald. This will be grand!' Sera jumped up and down with glee and then ran off with a happy scream and something about selling breeches. I knew we would see her appear at Haven sooner or later.

Maxwell sighed, 'Good, now can we all please get some rest. I kind of need it.'

XXX

Normally, this would've been a one-day visit, but we were too tired to travel more. The people of Val Royeaux were in awe of what had happened that day. A "famous" owner of a highly expensive tavern, or he called it an "auberge royale", offered us a one night stay for the whole party. He probably did it so he could boast to his friends, but we accepted the offer gladly.

I was happy we got a free stay at a warm tavern, but still hoped we would leave this city, this country, tomorrow. I wanted to go home as soon as possible, before the Templars, just to see Haven safe and Templar-free for as long as I could.

The tavern was just out of town, and as we strolled out of the marketplace, a small figure in the shadows showed herself before us. A woman, elven, small of stature, and dressed in familiar circle robes, walked slowly towards us. I looked down at her, not another one who wants to join, I just want to sleep.

'If I might have a moment of your time?' The woman, who I guessed was in her forties, maybe fifties already, had a soothing voice, but her eyes seemed almost… glazed? Trying not to stand out, I quickly closed my blue eye, but the woman stayed the same. Good. No demon. At least we got that going for us.

Cassandra turned to the elf with big eyes, 'Grand Enchanter Fiona?'

Solas took a step forward, standing right in front of me, 'Leader of the mage rebellion. Is it not dangerous for you to be here?' He looked behind his broad shoulders at me, but I shook my head. Safe.

'I heard of this gathering. And I wanted to see the fabled Herald of Andraste with my own eyes. That demon you took down there, it was a good fight indeed. You have quite some talented mages on your side.' The woman tried to look my way, but Solas positioned himself more and more in front of me. Why was he being so protective now?

'I'm surprised the leader of the mages wasn't at the Conclave?' Maxwell interrupted, making Fiona focus on him again.

'Yes', Cassandra said with a cautious tone, 'you were supposed to be, and yet somehow you avoided death.'

'As did the Lord Seeker, or at least his imposter now it seems. Both of us sent negotiators in our stead, in case it was a trap.' Smart, would've done the same. 'I won't pretend I'm not glad to live. I lost many dear friends that day. It disgusts me to think the Templars will get away with it, yet, you allied with them?'

'I did, but that does not mean I cannot ally with you. I am not choosing sides in this war of yours, I just want this world not to be destroyed. We need to seal the Breach, we all have a responsibility to close it.' Maxwell stared at the Enchanter seriously, but I knew he was dead tired inside, done with all those negotiations. But this had to be done, we needed them as much as they needed us.

'Good', Fiona smiled, 'Then consider this an invitation to Redcliffe: come meet with the mages. An alliance can help us both, after all. And we will find a way to work together, all of us.' She tried to look at me again, but Solas didn't let her. 'I hope to see you there. Au revoir, my Lord Herald.' The leader of the rebellion smiled coyly, curtsied and turned away.

Great, now we have to travel to the Hinterlands again. I hoped we'd stop at Haven first.

Varric patted Maxwell's back, 'Never thought you were such a good negotiator. I should let you deal with my publisher!' The Dwarf laughed, but I could see the exhaustion in his eyes.

'Come', Cassandra said, her eyes not leaving Fiona's figure as she disappeared in the shadows again, 'Let us return to that tavern.'